Adult bib with formed lap pocket

ABSTRACT

An adult bib to protect one&#39;s clothing from food and beverage spills provides a small pocket for holding napkins or wet or dry wipes. It is made a soft, absorbent material such as terry cloth and a moisture proof backing such as vinyl. It fastens around the neck of the user with the aid of snap fasteners or a hook and loop fastening system such as Velcro®.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 473,681 filed on May 4, 2000. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to garment protectors and the like and, more particularly, to a bib element in combination with a lower foldable retention flap formed utilizing fasteners affixed to the front of the bib.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Just about all of us have had the occasion where spilled food or beverage has ruined a shirt, tie, dress, blouse or other clothing outfit. Whether the spill was caused by extremely messy food, or just a simple accident, the outcome is always the same; the clothing must be cleaned and/or changed. This not only consumes valuable time, it results in higher cleaning costs and additional wear and tear on the clothing. If the clothing should be permanently stained, the cost to replace the item increases greatly. Additionally, those who frequently soil clothing, such as the elderly, the physically disabled, or those with diminished coordination skills must bear correspondingly higher cleaning costs.

[0006] A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related.

[0007] The following patents disclose a bib having a pocket in the front.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,506 issued in the name of Reinhart, Jr.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,311 issued in the name of Lampson et al.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,701 issued in the name of Ferreyros

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,572 issued in the name of Roessler

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,231 issued in the name of Noel

[0013] The following patents describe the ornamental design for a bib for infants, invalids, or the like.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. D 346,268 issued in the name of Loranger

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. D 313,883 issued in the name of Fleming

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,288 issued in the name of Mack discloses a reusable bib having a material-receiving pocket.

[0017] And, U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,946 issued in the name of Craig describes a hair washing rinse bib for invalids.

[0018] Consequently, there exists a need for a means by which soiled clothing resulting from food or beverage spills can be avoided in a simple, easy and effective manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved adult bib.

[0020] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved adult bib having a lap pocket extension capable of forming a lap pocket collection means integrally therein.

[0021] Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an adult bib is provided designed to protect one's clothing from food and beverage spills, and also provides a small pocket for holding napkins or wet or dry wipes. It is made a soft, absorbent material such as terry cloth and a moisture proof backing such as vinyl. It fastens around the neck of the user with the aid of snap fasteners or a hook and loop fastening system such as Velcro®. It is perfect for eating messy foods in the home, in restaurants or in locations where eating is awkward such as in the car. It is also ideal for the elderly, the physically disabled, or others with diminished coordination who may frequently soil their clothes while eating.

[0022] The use of the present invention provides a simple and time-proven solution for clothing that is soiled while eating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

[0024]FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a strap supported adult bib according to a preferred embodiment of the present intention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view thereof, shown forming a lap pocket therein;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of vest type adult bib according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0027]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the vest type adult bib of FIG. 3, shown forming a lap pocket therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures.

[0029] 1. Detailed Description of the Figures

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1-2, a strap supported adult bib 10 is shown, according to the present invention, having a main bib body 12 for covering the upper torso of a user. Extending upward from the main bib body 12 are a pair of generally parallel, linearly elongated retention straps 14 designed to, in conjunction with each other, circumscribe a user's neck in order to provide vertical support for the bib 10. Each retention strap 14 is affixed at a proximal end to the bib body 12, and supports a retention strap attachment means 16 at a distal end. The retention strap attachment means 16 is designed to releasably and adjustably affix together the relative distal ends of the retention straps. As such, it is anticipated that a number of otherwise conventional fastening means can be employed, including buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or the like.

[0031] Affixed to the main bib body 12 is a removable wipe cloth 20. The wipe cloth 20 is designed to releasably affix to the bib body 12 by affixment by a wipe cloth attachment means 22, comprised of any of a number of otherwise conventional fastening means can be employed, including buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or the like.

[0032] Extending downward from the lower portion of the bib body 12 is a bib body extension 24, designed to cover the lower torso and upper lap of a user. Further, extending downward from the bib body extension 24 is a lap pocket extension 30. The function and features of the lap pocket extension will be described in greater detail below. At or along the lower boundary of the bib body extension 24 are a plurality of pocket holding attachment means 32. Similarly, aligned along the lower perimeter of the lap pocket extension 30 are a similar number of lap pocket forming attachments 36, aligned to correspond with the pocket holding attachment means 32. In this manner, the lap pocket forming attachments 36 are aligned with and affixed to the corresponding pocket holding attachment means 32 to form a debris collection lap pocket, shown as 38 in FIG. 2. As such, both the pocket holding attachment means 32 and lap pocket forming attachments 36 can be comprised of any of a number of otherwise conventional fastening means can be employed, including buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. Along the rear surface of the lap pocket extension 30 (which forms the front surface of the debris collection lap pocket 38) is a second wipe cloth attachment means 22, for allowing the removable wipe cloth 20 to be alternately affixed thereto.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3-4, a vest type adult bib 40 is shown, according to the present invention, having a back panel 42 attached to a main bib body 52 for by use of arm circumscribing support straps 53. The main bib body 52 covers the upper torso of a user, and is split into a left bib body 52 a and a right bib body to allow for placement on a user as one would place an otherwise conventional vest.

[0034] Affixed to the main bib body 52 b is a removable wipe cloth 54. The wipe cloth 54 is designed to releasably affix to the bib body 52 b by affixment by a wipe cloth attachment means 56, comprised of any of a number of otherwise conventional fastening means can be employed, including buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or the like.

[0035] Extending downward from the lower portion of the bib body 52 is a bib body extension 64, designed to cover the lower torso and upper lap of a user. Further, extending downward from the bib body extension 64 is a lap pocket extension 70. The function and features of the lap pocket extension will be described in greater detail below. At or along the lower boundary of the bib body extension 64 are a plurality of pocket holding attachment means 72. Similarly, aligned along the lower perimeter of the lap pocket extension 70 are a similar number of lap pocket forming attachments 76, aligned to correspond with the pocket holding attachment means 72. In this manner, the lap pocket forming attachments 76 are aligned with and affixed to the corresponding pocket holding attachment means 72 to form a debris collection lap pocket, shown as 78 in FIG. 4. As such, both the pocket holding attachment means 72 and lap pocket forming attachments 76 can be comprised of any of a number of otherwise conventional fastening means can be employed, including buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. Along the rear surface of the lap pocket extension 70 (which forms the front surface of the debris collection lap pocket 78) is a second wipe cloth attachment means 56, for allowing the removable wipe cloth 54 to be alternately affixed thereto.

[0036] 2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

[0037] In operation, the present invention is used to protect the adult user's upper torso and lap from spills, crumbs, and the like while eating. Depending on the version, the bib will be place around the users neck or around the users body to support the bib along the upper torso. The bib extension will drape downward to protect the user's lower torso, and the lap extension is sized substantially in order to extend downward into the user's lap. Should the user wish, the lap extension can be folded upward and affixed to the bib extension such as to form a retention pocket for passive collection of debris.

[0038] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bib comprising: a main bib body for covering an upper torso of a user; a pair of generally parallel, linearly elongated retention straps having a proximal end opposite a distal end and extending upward from said main bib body at said proximal end and designed to, in conjunction with each other, circumscribe a user's neck in order to provide vertical support for said bib; retention strap attachment means affixed at each said proximal end; and removable wipe cloth affixed to said main bib body in a releasable fashion by a wipe cloth attachment means.
 2. The bib of claim 1, wherein said retention strap attachment means releasably and adjustably affix together said distal ends of said retention straps.
 3. The bib of claim 2, wherein said retention strap attachment means is selected from a group comprising buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners.
 4. The bib of claim 1, wherein said wipe cloth attachment means is selected from a group comprising buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The bib of claim 1, further comprising a bib body extension extending downward from the lower portion of the bib body for covering a lower torso and upper lap of a user.
 6. The bib of claim 5, further comprising a lap pocket extension extending downward from said bib body extension.
 7. The bib of claim 6, further comprising: a plurality of pocket holding attachment means formed at or along a lower boundary of the bib body extension, and a similar number of lap pocket forming attachments aligned along a lower perimeter of said lap pocket extension and aligned to correspond with the pocket holding attachment means; wherein said lap pocket forming attachments are aligned with and affixed to the corresponding pocket holding attachment means to form a debris collection lap pocket.
 8. The bib of claim 7, further comprising a second wipe cloth attachment means along the rear surface of the lap pocket extension for allowing the removable wipe cloth to be alternately affixed thereto.
 9. A bib vest comprising: a main bib body having a back panel, a left bib body and a right bib body; removable wipe cloth affixed to said main bib body in a releasable fashion by a wipe cloth attachment means.
 10. The bib vest of claim 9, wherein said wipe cloth attachment means is selected from a group comprising buttons, snap fasteners, hook and loop fasteners.
 11. The bib vest of claim 9, further comprising a bib body extension extending downward from the lower portion of the bib body for covering a lower torso and upper lap of a user.
 12. The bib vest of claim 11, further comprising a lap pocket extension extending downward from said bib body extension.
 13. The bib vest of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality of pocket holding attachment means formed at or along a lower boundary of the bib body extension, and a similar number of lap pocket forming attachments aligned along a lower perimeter of said lap pocket extension and aligned to correspond with the pocket holding attachment means; wherein said lap pocket forming attachments are aligned with and affixed to the corresponding pocket holding attachment means to form a debris collection lap pocket.
 13. The bib of claim 9, further comprising a second wipe cloth attachment means along the rear surface of the lap pocket extension for allowing the removable wipe cloth to be alternately affixed thereto. 